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争吵 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
争吵zhēngchǎoto quarrelHSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #3712, Hard
争吵zhēngchǎodisputeHSK 6, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #3712, Hard
zhēngchǎo(zheng1chao3)zheng chao T1
  1. 1to quarrel
  2. 2dispute
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March 24, 2026

争吵(爭吵)zhēngchǎo(zheng1chao3)

争吵 (zhēngchǎo) means to quarrel or dispute, typically involving a heated exchange of words between individuals. It is commonly used in contexts where disagreements arise, often in personal relationships or discussions, indicating a lack of harmony or conflict.

Strokes13Frequency#3712DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, open conflict is often avoided in public settings, making 争吵 a sensitive term. People may prefer to resolve disagreements privately, and public disputes can be viewed negatively.

Memory tip

Imagine two friends, each holding a sign that says '争' (争 means to compete or argue) and '吵' (吵 sounds like 'shout'). They are arguing loudly, emphasizing the quarrel. Visualize them in a competitive game where they can't agree on the rules, making their dispute memorable.

Meanings of 争吵

zhēngchǎo(zheng1chao3)
1to quarrel
2dispute
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About 争吵

争吵Simplified
爭吵Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 争吵

Quick Contrast

争论 (zhēnglùn) vs 争吵 (zhēngchǎo): use 争论 for formal debates or discussions, while 争吵 implies a more emotional and heated exchange.

Usage Notes

Be careful using 争吵 in formal contexts, as it may sound too aggressive; consider using 和平讨论 (heping tǎolùn) for a more neutral tone. Common collocations include '争吵不断' (ongoing quarrels) and '争吵声' (sounds of quarrelling). Remember to use the correct tones: zhēng (first tone) and chǎo (third tone).

HSK Study Tips

Although 争吵 is not in the HSK list, it is useful for learners at HSK 3-4 level as it relates to interpersonal interactions. Focus on building vocabulary around conflict resolution and communication to complement this term.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 争吵 with 和平 (hépíng), which means peace. For example, saying '我们要争吵和和平' (We should quarrel and be peaceful) is incorrect; it should be '我们要和平讨论' (We should discuss peacefully).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 争吵

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Component characters

争zhēngto strive for
HSK 56 strokes亅
View full entry
吵chǎoto quarrel
HSK 57 strokes口
View full entry

How to say to quarrel in Chinese

“to quarrel” in Chinese is争吵zhēngchǎo

争吵 (zhēngchǎo) means to quarrel or dispute, typically involving a heated exchange of words between individuals. It is commonly used in contexts where disagreements arise, often in personal relationships or discussions, indicating a lack of harmony or conflict.

When to use 争吵

Be careful using 争吵 in formal contexts, as it may sound too aggressive; consider using 和平讨论 (heping tǎolùn) for a more neutral tone. Common collocations include '争吵不断' (ongoing quarrels) and '争吵声' (sounds of quarrelling). Remember to use the correct tones: zhēng (first tone) and chǎo (third tone).

争吵 or something close to it

争论 (zhēnglùn) vs 争吵 (zhēngchǎo): use 争论 for formal debates or discussions, while 争吵 implies a more emotional and heated exchange.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 争吵 with 和平 (hépíng), which means peace. For example, saying '我们要争吵和和平' (We should quarrel and be peaceful) is incorrect; it should be '我们要和平讨论' (We should discuss peacefully).

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争
吵

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Frequently asked questions about 争吵

争吵 (zhēngchǎo) refers to a quarrel or heated argument, while 争论 (zhēnglùn) is more about debating or discussing differing opinions in a less confrontational manner.

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